Allon Says He Expects Few of the Jews Now Leaving Poland to Come to Israel

October 8, 1969

JERUSALEM (Oct. 7)

Deputy Prime Minister Yigal Allon asserted yesterday that few of the Jews now leaving Poland will come to Israel. Mr. Allon, who heads the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, told a press conference that Israel nevertheless expected 50,000 immigrants in 1970, double the number that will have arrived here by the end of 1969. According to Mr. Allon, the Jews now leaving Poland are a remnant of those who could have left in the 1950s but elected to remain in the Communist country. “They still do not seek a home in Israel.” he said.

(New York Times correspondent Paul Hoffman reported from Warsaw yesterday that “the silent exodus of Jews continues. Some 200 leave every week for Vienna or the Scandinavian countries.” He added that, according to informed sources, only 10,000 Jews will remain in Poland by year’s end, out of a total population of 32 million. Mr. Hoffman described Poland as a virtual police state where citizens are willing to speak on almost any subject except domestic politics.)

A Jewish Agency official disclosed today that Polish-speaking emissaries have been sent to Europe to try to persuade Jews leaving Poland to come to Israel. Gen. Uzzi Narkiss, director-general of the Agency’s immigration and absorption department, reported the dispatch of emissaries at a meeting of the Agency Executive. The recent heavy exodus of Jews from Poland was spurred by an announcement by the Warsaw regime last spring that it would severely restrict the issuances of exit permits after a Sept. 1, 1969 deadline. The Jews leaving Poland now obtained their permits before the deadline.

Mr. Allon said that 40 percent of next year’s anticipated immigration will be from Europe, 30 percent from Africa and Asia, 20 percent from North America and 10 percent from Latin America. He said he wanted his ministry to assume responsibility for new immigrants while they are still abroad and first decide to come to Israel instead of after they arrive. The Absorption Ministry, created by the late Prime Minister Levi Eshkol last year, functions jointly with the Jewish Agency in the absorption of newcomers. The Agency is solely responsible for the immigration process. Mr. Allon came under attack by the Jewish Agency Executive recently when he said he would try to get the immigration function assigned to the Absorption Ministry if he is asked to retain that portfolio in the Government formed after this month’s national election.